Multispeed power tool

ABSTRACT

A tool with a transmission assembly having a reduction gearset and a speed selector. The speed selector has a member, an actuator and a shifter assembly. The member is movable between a first position, in which the member is non-rotatable, and a second position in which the member is coupled to a planet carrier of the reduction gearset for common rotation. The actuator includes a pivoting yoke and a follower that is coupled to the yoke. The follower engages the member so as to be axially movable with the follower. The shifter assembly has a selector switch, a switch fork, and a pair of springs. The selector switch is slidable between a first switch position and a second switch position. The shift fork is slidably coupled to the selector switch and receives the yoke. The springs cooperate to bias the shift fork relative to the selector switch into a neutral position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.13/220,164, entitled MULTISPEED POWER TOOL filed Aug. 29, 2011, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/513,206, filedJul. 29, 2011. The entire contents U.S. application Ser. No. 13/220,164and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/513,206 are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a multispeed power tool.

BACKGROUND

Various multispeed power tools are known in the art. Several of theknown arrangements suffer from one or more drawbacks, includingdifficulties in shifting the tool to operate in a different overall gearreduction ratio, and/or a relatively high part count in the tool.Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an improved multispeedpower tool.

SUMMARY

In one form, the present teachings provide a tool with a housingassembly and a transmission assembly. The housing assembly defines ahandle. The transmission assembly is received in the housing assemblyand includes a reduction gearset and a speed selector mechanism. Thereduction gearset has a plurality of planetary stages. The speedselector mechanism has a movable member, an actuator and a shifterassembly. The movable member is movable parallel to a longitudinal axisof the transmission assembly between a first position, in which themovable member is non-rotatably coupled to the housing assembly, and asecond position in which the movable member is coupled to a planetcarrier of the reduction gearset for common rotation. The actuatorincludes a yoke, which is pivotally coupled to the housing assembly, anda follower that is coupled to the yoke. The follower engages the movablemember so as to be axially movable with the follower. The shifterassembly has a selector switch, a switch fork, and a pair of biasingsprings. The selector switch is slidably mounted to the housing assemblyand movable between a first switch position and a second switchposition. The shift fork is slidably coupled to the selector switch andreceives the yoke. The biasing springs cooperate to bias the shift forkrelative to the selector switch into a neutral position.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a tool that includes ahousing assembly and a transmission assembly. The housing assemblydefines a handle and includes a gearcase. The transmission assembly iswholly received in the gearcase and has a reduction gearset and a thrustwasher. The reduction gearset has a movable member that is selectivelymovable between a first position, in which the transmission assemblyoperates in a first overall gear ratio, and a second position in whichthe transmission assembly operates in a second overall gear ratio. Thehousing assembly further includes a ring structure that is non-rotatablycoupled to the gearcase. The ring structure has a plurality of teeth anda plurality of bosses that are received in longitudinal grooves formedin the gearcase. The movable member has locking teeth that engage theteeth of the ring structure when the movable member is in the secondposition.

In still another form, the teachings of the present disclosure provide atool that includes a housing assembly, which defines a handle, and atransmission assembly that is received in the housing assembly. Thetransmission assembly has a reduction gearset and a thrust washer. Thereduction gearset has a first ring gear and is selectively operable in afirst overall gear ratio and a second overall gear ratio. The thrustwasher limits axial movement of the first ring gear in a predetermineddirection. A movable member in the transmission assembly non-rotatablyengages the thrust washer when the transmission assembly is operated inthe first overall gear ratio.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an exemplary tool constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of a portion of the tool of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the tool of FIG. 1illustrating a gear case in more detail;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the gear case shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partly sectioned right side elevation view of a portion ofthe tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a portion of the tool of FIG. 1illustrating a shifter assembly in detail;

FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the shifter assembly shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the shifter assembly shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a partly broken away top plan view of the tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of another toolconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section view of a portion of the tool of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a partly sectioned right side elevation view of another toolconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the tool of FIG. 12illustrating a second thrust plate in more detail.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary tool constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is generallyindicated by reference numeral 10. The tool 10 can include a housingassembly 12, a motor assembly 14, a trigger assembly 16, a transmissionassembly 18, a clutch assembly 20 and an output spindle 22.

The housing assembly 12 can comprise a pair of handle housing shells 30and a gear case 32 that can be removably coupled to the handle housingshells 30 via a plurality of threaded fasteners (not shown). The handlehousing shells 30 can cooperate to define a handle 36, a trigger mount38, and a cavity 40 into which the motor assembly 14 can be received.

With reference to FIGS. 2 through 4, the gear case 32 can form at leasta portion of an exterior of the tool 10 and can include a first wall 46,a shoulder wall 48 and a second wall 50. The first wall 46 can be agenerally tubular structure that can have a shifter mount 52 and a pairof guide channels 54 (see FIG. 4—only one shown). The shifter mount 52can define a shifter tongue 56, which can extend generally parallel to alongitudinal axis of the gear case 32 and can be received into a slot(not shown) formed in the handle housing shells 30 (FIG. 1), a shifteraperture 58, which can extend through the shifter tongue 56 and can bedisposed generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the gear case 32,and a detent mount 60 (FIG. 9). The guide channels 54 can be positionedon the interior surface 64 of the first wall 46 generally parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the gear case 32 and generally perpendicular tothe shifter aperture 58 so that the shifter aperture 58 is disposedbetween the guide channels 54. The shoulder wall 48 can be an annularstructure that can couple the first and second walls 46 and 50 to oneanother. In the example provided, the shoulder wall 48 extends radiallyoutward from the second wall 50 to the first wall 46. The shoulder wall48 can define a set of clutch element apertures 70, a central bore 72and a plurality of locking lugs 74. The clutch element apertures 70 canbe disposed radially outwardly of the second wall 50 and can extendthrough the shoulder wall 48 so as to terminate within the interior ofthe first wall 46. The locking lugs 74 can be formed on an axial end ofthe shoulder wall 48 so as to face the interior volume defined by thefirst wall 46. The second locking lugs 74 can be disposed radiallybetween the central bore 72 and the clutch element apertures 70. Thesecond wall 50 can be a generally tubular structure that can extendaxially from the shoulder wall 48 on a side opposite the first wall 46.The second wall 50 can have an externally threaded portion 80, a keyway82, a retaining ring groove 86 and a key 88. The keyway 82 can bedisposed on the exterior of the second wall 50 and can extendlongitudinally through the threaded portion 80. The retaining ringgroove 86 can be formed in the exterior of the second wall 50 on an endof the second wall 50 opposite the shoulder wall 48. The key 88 can beformed on the interior of the second wall 50 and can extend in alongitudinal direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of thegear case 32.

The motor assembly 14 and the trigger assembly 16 can be conventional intheir construction and operation. In brief, the motor assembly 14 caninclude an output shaft 92 that can provide a rotary input (torque) tothe transmission assembly 18, while the trigger assembly 16 can bemounted to the trigger mount 38 and employed to selectively couple themotor assembly 14 to a source of electrical power, such as a batterypack 94. In the example provided, the trigger assembly 16 includes atrigger 96, a trigger switch 98, and a reversible variable speedcontroller 100, but it will be appreciated that various other types oftrigger assemblies could be substituted for the particular triggerassembly that is shown in the drawings and described herein.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the transmission assembly 18 can beconfigured to transmit rotary power between the motor assembly 14 andthe output spindle 22 and can comprise a transmission sleeve 104, areduction gearset 106 and a speed selector mechanism 108.

The transmission sleeve 104 can be a tubular structure that can beformed of a suitable material, such as plastic, and can be axially andnon-rotatably coupled to the gear case 32 in any desired manner. In theparticular example provided, both the first wall 46 of the gear case 32and the transmission sleeve 104 have a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced-apart bosses 112 and 114, respectively, that axially abut oneanother. The bosses 114 on the transmission sleeve 104 can be matinglyreceived in corresponding longitudinally extending grooves 116 formed onthe interior surface of the first wall 46 such that receipt of thebosses 114 in the grooves 116 inhibits rotation of the transmissionsleeve 104 relative to the gear case 32. Additionally or alternatively,fasteners can be employed to non-rotatably couple and optionally fixedlycouple the transmission sleeve 104 to the first wall 46. In the exampleprovided, the fasteners comprise threaded fasteners 118 that extendthrough the bosses 114 in the transmission sleeve 104 and threadablyengage the bosses 112 in the first wall 46, but it will be appreciatedthat various other types of fasteners, including rivets or pins, couldbe employed to fixedly couple the transmission sleeve 104 to the firstwall 46.

The transmission sleeve 104 can include a first sleeve portion 122 and asecond sleeve portion 124. The first sleeve portion 122, which can bedisposed adjacent the motor assembly 14, can be formed with anon-circular lateral cross-sectional shape, such as a toothed shape, andcan be somewhat larger in diameter than the second sleeve portion 124. Aplurality of teeth 128 formed on an interior cylindrical surface of thesecond sleeve portion 124 on an axial end thereof opposite the end towhich the first sleeve portion 122 abuts.

The reduction gearset 106 can be a multi-speed gearset and in theparticular example provided, comprises a three-stage, two-speedplanetary transmission having a first stage 130, a second stage 132 anda third stage 134. The first and second stages 130 and 132 can bedisposed in the transmission sleeve 104, while the third stage 134 canbe disposed in the gear case 32.

The first stage 130 can comprise a first sun gear 140, which can becoupled to the output shaft 92 of the motor assembly 14 for rotationtherewith, a first planet carrier 142, a plurality of first planet gears144 and a first ring gear 146. The first planet carrier 142 can comprisea first carrier body 148 and a plurality of first pins 150 that arefixedly coupled to and extend from the first carrier body 148. The firstcarrier body 148 comprises a plurality of first locking teeth 152 thatcan be disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the first carrierbody 148. Each of the first planet gears 144 can be rotatably disposedon a corresponding one of the first pins 150 and can have teeth that aremeshingly engaged with teeth of the first sun gear 140 and teeth of thefirst ring gear 146. The first ring gear 146 can be non-rotatablycoupled to the transmission sleeve 104. In the example provided, thefirst ring gear 146 has a lateral cross-sectional shape that iscomplementary to the lateral cross-sectional shape of the first sleeveportion 122 so that the first ring gear 146 is non-rotatably coupled tothe transmission sleeve 104 when it is inserted into the first sleeveportion 122. A first thrust washer 156 can be received into the firstsleeve portion 122 on a side of the first ring gear 146 opposite to thesecond sleeve portion 124 to limit movement of the first ring gear 146in an axial direction away from the second sleeve portion 124.

The second stage 132 can comprise a second sun gear 160, a second planetcarrier 162, a plurality of second planet gears 164 and a second ringgear 166. The second sun gear 160 can be coupled to the first carrierbody 148 for rotation therewith. In the particular example provided, thefirst carrier body 148 and the second sun gear 160 are integrally andunitarily formed in a suitable manner, such as compressed and sinteredpowdered metal. A pilot aperture 168 can be formed into the firstcarrier body 148 and/or the second sun gear 160 and can receive an endof the output shaft 92 of the motor assembly 14. The second planetcarrier 162 can comprise a second carrier body 170 and a plurality ofsecond pins 172 that are fixedly coupled to and extend from the secondcarrier body 170. Each of the second planet gears 164 can be rotatablydisposed on a corresponding one of the second pins 172 and can haveteeth 174 that are meshingly engaged with teeth of the second sun gear160 and internal teeth 176 of the second ring gear 166. The second ringgear 166 can be received concentrically about the second planet gears164.

The third stage 134 can include a third sun gear 180, a third planetcarrier 182, a plurality of third planet gears 184 and a third ring gear186. The third sun gear 180 can be coupled to the second carrier body170 for rotation therewith. In the particular example provided, thesecond carrier body 170 and the third sun gear 180 are integrally andunitarily formed in a suitable manner, such as compressed and sinteredpowdered metal. A pilot pin 188 can extend from the second sun gear 160and can be received into a bore 190 formed into the second carrier body170 and/or the third sun gear 180. The third planet carrier 182 cancomprise a third carrier body 192 and a plurality of third pins 194 thatare fixedly coupled to and extend from the third carrier body 192. Eachof the third planet gears 184 can be rotatably disposed on acorresponding one of the third pins 194 and can have teeth that aremeshingly engaged with teeth of the third sun gear 180 and internalteeth of the third ring gear 186. The third ring gear 186 can bereceived concentrically about the third planet gears 184 and can berotatably disposed within the first wall 46.

A second thrust washer 198 can be disposed axially between thetransmission sleeve 104 and the gear case 32 and can limit axialmovement of the second planet carrier 162 in a direction away from themotor assembly 14, as well as limit axial movement of the third ringgear 186 toward the motor assembly 14.

The output spindle 22 can be drivingly coupled to the third planetcarrier 182 in any desired manner, such as directly coupled to the thirdcarrier body 192. In the example provided, however, a conventionalspindle lock assembly 200 is employed to drivingly couple the thirdplanet carrier 182 to the output spindle 22 in a manner that permits thethird planet carrier 182 to drive the output spindle 22 (in eitherrotational direction) but which inhibits the transmission of rotarypower from the output spindle 22 to the third planet carrier 182 so thatthe output spindle 22 cannot be rotated to back-drive the reductiongearset 106. As the spindle lock assembly 200 is conventional in itsconfiguration and operation, a detailed discussion of the spindle lockassembly 200 need not be provided herein. Briefly, the spindle lockassembly 200 comprises an anvil 204, a plurality of pins (not shown) anda ring structure 208, which is non-rotatably coupled to the housingassembly 12. The pins are disposed radially between the anvil 204 andthe ring structure 208 and circumferentially between lugs (not shown)that extend axially from the third carrier body 192. Rotation of thethird planet carrier 182 that would tend to drive the output spindle 22causes corresponding rotation of the pins with the anvil 204 within thering structure 208, while rotation of the output spindle 22 that wouldtend to drive the third planet carrier 182 causes rotation of the anvil204 in a manner that urges the pins radially outwardly such that thepins wedge between the ring structure 208 and the anvil 204 to therebylock the output spindle 22 to the housing assembly 12.

In the particular example provided, the ring structure 208 is coupled tothe housing assembly 12 in a novel manner. More specifically, the ringstructure 208 comprises a ring body 220 with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced-apart teeth 222 that are meshingly engaged withthe locking lugs 74 formed on the shoulder wall 48 of the gear case 32.

Bearings 230 can be received between the second wall 50 of the gear case32 and the output spindle 22 and can support the output spindle 22 forrotation relative to the gear case 32.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the speed selector mechanism 108 cancomprise a movable member 240, an actuator 242 and a shifter assembly244.

The movable member 240 can be axially movable between a first positionand a second position to cause the reduction gearset 106 to operate in afirst overall gear ratio and a second overall gear ratio, respectively.In the example provided, the movable member 240 is the second ring gear166 and is slidably disposed in the second sleeve portion 124 of thetransmission sleeve 104 so as to be movable between the first positionand the second position. Positioning the movable member 240 in the firstposition meshingly engages a plurality of second locking teeth 248 onthe outer circumferential surface of the movable member 240 to the teeth128 formed on the interior circumferential surface of the second sleeveportion 124 (to thereby non-rotatably couple the movable member 240 andthe second ring gear 166 to the gear case 32 via the transmission sleeve104), while positioning the movable member 240 in the second positionmeshingly engages the internal teeth 176 of the second ring gear 166 tothe first locking teeth 152 formed on the first carrier body 148. Itwill be appreciated that the internal teeth 176 of the second ring gear166 are decoupled from the first locking teeth 152 on the first carrierbody 148 when the movable member 240 is in the first position, and thatthe second locking teeth 248 on the movable member 240 are decoupledfrom the teeth 128 on the second sleeve portion 124 when the movablemember 240 is in the second position.

The actuator 242 can comprise a yoke 260 and a follower 262. The yoke260 can have an input tab 270, a pair of pivot mounts 272 and a pair offollower mounts 274. The yoke 260 can be received over the transmissionsleeve 104 such that the input tab 270 is disposed vertically in-linewith the shifter aperture 58. The pivot mounts 272 pivotally couple theyoke 260 to the transmission sleeve 104 and can be positioned at adesired point between the input tab 270 and the follower mounts 274 soas to provide a desired ratio of movement between the input tab 270 andthe follower mounts 274. In the particular example provided, the pivotmounts 272 are positioned so that the follower mounts 274 move in anaxial direction (parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gear case 32)by an amount that is about equal to the amount in which the input tab270 is moved. Each of the follower mounts 274 can comprise a slottedaperture 280 that can extend radially toward a point about which anassociated one of the pivot mounts 272 pivotally couples the yoke 260 tothe transmission sleeve 104. The follower 262 can be configured totransmit movement of the follower mounts 274 in an axial direction tothe movable member 240. In the example provided, the follower 262 hasfollower body 290 and a pair of ears 292. The follower body 290 can beformed of wire in a generally half-moon shape and can be received in acircumferentially extending groove 294 formed about the movable member240. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the follower body 290 isreceived within the first wall 46 of the gear case 32. The ears 292 canextend radially outwardly from the follower body 290 throughlongitudinal slots 298 in the first wall 46 and can be received into theslotted apertures 280 in the follower mounts 274. It will be appreciatedthat the yoke 260 can be pivoted about the pivot mounts 272 to axiallymove the follower 262 so that the movable member 240 may be translatedbetween the first and second positions. Portions of the ears 292 thatextend radially outwardly of the yoke 260 can be received in the guidechannels 54.

With reference to FIGS. 5 through 9, the shifter assembly 244 cancomprise a selector switch 300, one or more detent springs 302 (FIG. 9),a switch fork 304 and first and second biasing springs 306 and 308. Theselector switch 300 can be received in the shifter aperture 58 and canbe configured to receive a manual switching input from a user of thetool 10. The selector switch 300 can comprise a switch member 312 and awire form 314 that can be mounted to the switch member 312. The switchmember 312 can define a pair of first rails 320, which can be orientedgenerally parallel to a direction in which the switch member 312 istranslated relative to the housing assembly 12, a cross-member 322 and apair of second rails 324. Each of the second rails 324 can be orientedrelative to an associated one of the first rails 320 such that were thefirst rails 320 (extended) to intersect the second rails 324, they wouldcreate an outboard interior angle 326 that is less than about forty-fivedegrees. The wire form 314 can include a first bar member 330, a pair ofsecond bar members 332 and a pair of detent members 334. The first barmember 330 can abut the cross-member 322, while each of the second barmembers 332 can be abutted against an associated one of the first rails320. Locking tabs 338 or other features can be employed to aid in fixingthe second bar members 332 to the switch member 312. Each of the detentmembers 334 can be formed as a leaf spring that is connected to an endof a corresponding one of the second bar members 332 on a side oppositethe first bar member 330. The detent members 334 are configured tocompress inwardly when the switch member 312 is moved between variousswitch positions such that the distal ends 342 of the detent members 334follow their associated second rail 324 to thereby axially extend thedetent members 334 while reducing the extent to which they extendlaterally outwardly from the switch member 312.

The detent springs 302 can be leaf springs that can be mounted to thedetent mount 60 on the gear case 32. The detent springs 302 can becontoured to receive the detent members 334 of the wire form 314 so asto permit the selector switch 300 to be selectively positioned in afirst switch position and a second switch position.

The switch fork 304 can be slidably mounted on the switch member 312between a pair of fork rails 350 and can receive the input tab 270 onthe yoke 260. The first and second biasing springs 306 and 308 can bepositioned on opposite sides of the switch fork 304 and can abutopposite ends of the switch member 312. The first and second biasingsprings 306 and 308 can cooperate to bias the switch fork 304 into aneutral position. Spring guides 354 can be integrated into the switchfork 304 or the switch member 312 to guide the first and second biasingsprings 306 and 308.

In the particular example provided, the switch member 312 is formed intwo pieces (i.e., an upper switch member 360 and a lower switch member362). The upper switch member 360 can include the first and second rails320 and 324, while the lower switch member 362 can include thecross-member 322 and the fork rails 350. The wire form 314 can bemounted to the upper switch member 360 such that the second bar members332 abut the first rails 320 and the detent members 334 abut the secondrails 324. The first and second biasing springs 306 and 308 can beassembled to the switch fork 304 and that assembly can be dropped intothe lower switch member 362 such that the switch fork 304 is receivedbetween the fork rails 350. It will be appreciated that an upper side ofthe switch fork 304 is sized such that the switch fork 304 cannot dropcompletely through the fork rails 350. The upper and lower switchmembers 360 and 362 can be fixedly coupled to one another by any desiredmeans to thereby capture the switch fork 304 and the first and secondbiasing springs 306 and 308 therebetween.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 8, the switch member 312 can be axiallytranslated from the first switch position to the second switch positionto rotate the yoke 260 about the pivot mount 272 to thereby translatethe follower 262 to cause the movable member 240 to move from the firstposition to the second position. In the event that the internal teeth176 on the second ring gear 166 are not aligned to the first lockingteeth 152 on the first carrier body 148, the switch member 312 may bepositioned in the second switch position without fully translating theswitch fork 304 such that the second biasing spring 308 is compressed.When the internal teeth 176 on the second ring gear 166 come intoalignment with the first locking teeth 152 on the first carrier body148, the force provided by the second biasing spring 308 will urge theyoke 260 to pivot about the pivot mount 272 such that the follower 262will translate the movable member 240 into the second position.

The switch member 312 can also be axially translated from the secondswitch position to the first switch position to rotate the yoke aboutthe pivot mount 272 to thereby translate the follower 262 to cause themovable member 240 to move from the second position to the firstposition. Should the second locking teeth 248 on the movable member 240not be aligned to the teeth 128 on the second sleeve portion 124, theswitch member 312 may be positioned in the first switch position withoutfully translating the switch fork 304 such that the first biasing spring306 is compressed. When the second locking teeth 248 on the movablemember 240 come into alignment with the teeth 128 on the second sleeveportion 124, the force provided by the first biasing spring 306 willurge the yoke 260 to pivot about the pivot mount 272 such that thefollower 262 will translate the movable member 240 into the firstposition.

Returning to FIG. 2, the clutch assembly 20 can comprise a clutchprofile 390, a plurality of clutch elements 392, a first thrust plate394, a plurality of clutch springs 396, a spring follower 398, anadjustment nut 400, an adjustment collar 402, a second thrust plate 404and a retaining ring 406. The clutch profile 390 can be fixedly coupledto (e.g., unitarily formed with) the third ring gear 186. The clutchelements 392 can be received through the clutch element apertures 70 inthe shoulder wall 48 in the gear case 32 and can engage the clutchprofile 390. In the particular example provided, the clutch elements 392are single spherical balls, but it will be appreciated that other formsof clutch elements, including pins or stacked spherical balls, may beemployed in the alternative. The first thrust plate 394 can be a washerthat can be received over the clutch elements 392 on a side opposite theclutch profile 390. The clutch springs 396 can be helical compressionsprings that can be spaced circumferentially about the second wall 50 ofthe gear case 32. The spring follower 398, which can be slidably mountedon the second wall 50 of the gear case 32, can engage the keyway 82(FIG. 4) in the second wall 50 to thereby inhibit relative rotationbetween the spring follower 398 and the gear case 32. A first end of theclutch springs 396 can be abutted against the first thrust plate 394 anda second, opposite end of the clutch springs 396 can be received intothe spring follower 398. The adjustment nut 400 can be threadablyengaged to the threaded portion 80 of the second wall 50 and can beemployed to translate the spring follower 398 against the bias of theclutch springs 396 to thereby adjust a clutch spring force exertedagainst the clutch elements 392. The adjustment collar 402 can benon-rotatably but axially slidably mounted to the adjustment nut 400 ina conventional manner that permits a user to rotate the adjustmentcollar 402 (to thereby rotate the adjustment nut 400) without causingcorresponding translation of the adjustment collar 402. The retainingring 406 can be received in the retaining ring groove 86 and the secondthrust plate 404 can be disposed on the second wall 50 axially betweenthe retaining ring 406 and the adjustment collar 402 to thereby limitaxial movement of the adjustment collar 402 relative to the gear case32.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the gear case 32provides support for the transmission assembly 18, as well as and theoutput spindle 22 and the clutch assembly 20. It will also beappreciated that the second stage 132 can be configured such that it hasan overall diameter or size that is smaller than the diameter or sizesof the first and third stages 130 and 134, which can permit the speedselector mechanism 108 to be integrated into the tool 10 in a nestingmanner to thereby reduce the overall height of the tool 10.

While the tool 10 has been described and illustrated as having atransmission sleeve that is coupled to a gearcase, it will beappreciated that a tool constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure can be constructed somewhat differently. Forexample, the gear case 32 a can be constructed so as to receive thereduction gearset 106 (FIG. 2) in its entirety as shown in FIGS. 10 and11. In this example, the teeth 128 a are formed on a ring-shapedstructure 500 that is non-rotatably coupled to the first wall 46 a ofthe gear case 32 a. In the example provided, both the first wall 46 a ofthe gear case 32 a and the ring-shaped structure 500 have a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced-apart bosses 502 and 504, respectively, thataxially abut one another. The bosses 504 on the ring shaped structure500 can be matingly received in corresponding longitudinally extendinggrooves 506 formed on the interior surface of the first wall 46 a suchthat receipt of the bosses 504 in the grooves 506 inhibits rotation ofthe ring shaped structure 500 relative to the gear case 32 a.Additionally or alternatively, fasteners can be employed tonon-rotatably couple and optionally fixedly couple the ring shapedstructure 500 to the first wall 46 a. In the example provided, thefasteners comprise threaded fasteners 510 that extend through the bosses504 in the ring shaped structure 500 and threadably engage the bosses502 in the first wall 46 a, but it will be appreciated that variousother types of fasteners, including rivets or pins, could be employed tofixedly couple the ring shaped structure 500 to the first wall 46 a.

Another example is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, in which the tool 10b has a two-piece gear case 32 b and the teeth 128 b are co-formed withthe second thrust washer 198 b. In this example, the gear case 32 bcomprises a front case portion 600 and a rear case portion 602 thatabuts the front case portion 600. A circumferentially extending groove606 is formed at the joint 608 where the front and rear case portions600 and 602 abut one another. The circumferentially extending groove 606can be formed in a non-circular manner, such as with a plurality oflobes or teeth (not shown). The second thrust washer 198 b can have athrust washer body 610 that can have a non-circular shape that cannon-rotatably engage the gear case 32 b when the thrust washer body 610is received in the circumferentially extending groove 606. The teeth 128b can be integrally and unitarily formed with the thrust washer body 610in an appropriate process, such as stamping, and can extend in an axialdirection away from the thrust washer body 610. Accordingly, it will beappreciated that the second locking teeth 248 on the movable member 240can engage the teeth 128 b that are fixedly coupled to the second thrustwasher 198 b when the movable member 240 is positioned in the firstposition.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool comprising: a housing assembly defining ahandle; a motor housed in the housing; a transmission assembly receivedin the housing assembly, the transmission assembly having a reductiongearset; the transmission assembly further including a locking memberincluding a plurality of locking projections, the locking memberincluding a circular hole; wherein the reduction gearset has a firstring gear and is selectively operable in a first overall gear ratio anda second overall gear ratio; wherein the transmission assembly furtherincludes a movable member, the movable member including locking teeth;and wherein the movable member in the transmission assemblynon-rotatably engages the locking member when the transmission assemblyis operated in the first overall gear ratio through engagement of themovable member locking teeth with the locking projections and whereinthe movable member locking teeth and the locking projections aredisengaged when the transmission assembly is operated in the secondoverall gear ratio so as to allow rotation of the movable memberrelative to the locking member; and wherein the locking member is heldin a gear case in a circumferentially extending groove in a manner thatrestricts relative rotation and axial movement of the locking memberwith respect to the gear case.
 2. The tool according to claim 1, whereinthe groove is non-circular.
 3. The tool according to claim 2, whereinthe locking member includes a locking member body and projectionsextending from the body to fit in the groove.
 4. The tool according toclaim 1, wherein the locking member is restrained in the axial directionby two portions of the gear case.
 5. The tool according to claim 1,wherein the circular hole is disposed at a center of the locking member.6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the locking member includes alocking member body and wherein the circular hole is located in thelocking member body.
 7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein thelocking projections extend about perpendicularly from the locking memberbody.
 8. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the locking member has aclosed shape.
 9. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the lockingmember has a closed circular shape.
 10. A tool comprising: a housingassembly defining a handle; a motor housed in the housing; atransmission assembly received in the housing assembly, the transmissionassembly having a reduction gearset; the transmission assembly furtherincluding a locking member including a plurality of locking projections;wherein the reduction gearset has a first ring gear and is selectivelyoperable in a first overall gear ratio and a second overall gear ratio;wherein the transmission assembly further includes a movable member, themovable member including locking teeth; wherein the movable member inthe transmission assembly non-rotatably engages the locking member whenthe transmission assembly is operated in the first overall gear ratiothrough engagement of the movable member locking teeth with the lockingprojections and wherein the movable member locking teeth and the lockingprojections are disengaged when the transmission assembly is operated inthe second overall gear ratio so as to allow rotation of the movablemember relative to the locking member; wherein the locking member isheld in a gear case in a circumferentially extending groove in a mannerthat restricts relative rotation and axial movement of the lockingmember with respect to the gear case; and wherein the locking member hasa closed shape.
 11. The tool of claim 10, wherein the locking member hasa closed circular shape.
 12. The tool of claim 10, wherein the groove isnon-circular.
 13. The tool of claim 11, wherein the locking memberincludes a locking member body and projections extending from the bodyto fit in the groove.
 14. The tool according to claim 10, wherein thelocking member is restrained in the axial direction by two portions ofthe gear case.
 15. The tool according to claim 10, wherein lockingmember includes a circular hole; and wherein the circular hole isdisposed at a center of the locking member.
 16. The tool according toclaim 15, wherein the locking member includes a locking member body andwherein the circular hole is located in the locking member body.
 17. Thetool according to claim 16, wherein the locking projections extend aboutperpendicularly from the locking member body.
 18. A tool comprising: ahousing assembly defining a handle; a motor housed in the housing; atransmission assembly received in the housing assembly, the transmissionassembly having a reduction gearset; the transmission assembly furtherincluding a locking member including a plurality of locking projections,the locking member including a locking member body and a hole in thelocking member body; wherein the reduction gearset has a first ring gearand is selectively operable in a first overall gear ratio and a secondoverall gear ratio; wherein the transmission assembly further includes amovable member, the movable member including locking teeth; wherein themovable member in the transmission assembly non-rotatably engages thelocking member when the transmission assembly is operated in the firstoverall gear ratio through engagement of the movable member lockingteeth with the locking projections and wherein the movable memberlocking teeth and the locking projections are disengaged when thetransmission assembly is operated in the second overall gear ratio so asto allow rotation of the movable member relative to the locking member;wherein the locking member is held in a gear case in a circumferentiallyextending groove in a manner that restricts relative rotation and axialmovement of the locking member with respect to the gear case; andwherein the locking member has a closed shape.
 19. The tool of claim 18,wherein the groove is non-circular; and wherein the locking memberincludes projections which extend from the locking member body andengage the groove.
 20. The tool of claim 19, wherein the locking memberis restrained in the axial direction by two portions of the gear case.